March 12, 2014

It isn't news that subjecting bones to repeated impact increases bone mass and makes hipbones less vulnerable to breakage. But University of Bristol researchers have now determined how much impact is required to build sturdier bones: 4.2 G's or more. They further determined that to generate that amount of stress one would have to run a ten-minute mile or jump up onto and down from a box at least 15 inches high. For persons concerned with their bone health who would find those options either physically impossible or hazardous, the researchers found that bone density improved significantly among women who merely hopped up and down at least ten times, twice a day, pausing 30 seconds between hops. Hopping 20 times proved even better. Older folk: consult your MD before beginning.

Opioids are prescribed for half of teens with headache finds a study by WellPoint in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics. Teens who visited ERs for headache were twice as likely to receive an opioid prescription than those who visited a doctor in an office setting. For the study, researchers analyzed medical data from 8,373 13-17 year olds who sought treatment for headaches. 46% received one opioid prescription; 23% received two and 29% received three or more. Opioids may eventually cause dependence, says Joel Saper, MD, director, Michigan Head Pain and Neurological Center. Ibuprofen and naproxen are recommended for first-line treatment. "This is a dangerous pattern of practice, and should be highly discouraged,” said Robert Glatter, MD, Lenox Hill Hospital, NYC.